CLEMENS SUIT A SURPRISE.
R. W. Ashcroft Says His Wife Was Prostrated by News of Author's Action.
Among the passengers on the Caronia from Liverpool yesterday was R. W. Ashcroft, whose wife was formerly private secretary to Mark Twain, and was recently sued by the author for a return of the house he presented her with on her wedding day.
Mr. Ashcroft said that they went abroad on June 9 and spent some days at The Hague. On their arrival in London he was surprised to receive a letter containing clippings and a notice of the suit begun by Mr. Clemens and the attachment on the dwelling presented to Mrs. Ashcroft.
"It came like a bolt out of the blue," said Mr. Ashcroft, "and I was glad to hear that the matter had been settled, as my wife was completely prostrated by the news, and wanted to sail home at once to face the music. I persuaded her to take things calmly and come by the Carmania, which she did.
Mr. Ashcroft admitted that there might be some truth in the report that a wealthy friend of his father's had some influence with Mr. Clemens in settling the matter, but he declined to give his name.
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